Chain conveyors with standardized elements

ABSTRACT

This conveyor comprises standardized, interchangeable elements, namely : a motor and reduction unit, a driving shaft operatively connected to the output shaft of said unit and carrying at least one sprocket for driving a chain, a bearing supporting frame structure, a central body comprising a swivel-mounted frame structure with idler sprockets and chain tensioning devices, said central body comprising a pair of said flanges which bear across a central notch thereof upon outer housings of the frame structure, the upper portion of each flange being formed with tapped holes receiving screws for securing said frame structure which is provided with arcuate slots concentric to the driving shaft and engageable by said screws, thus permitting the adjustment of the inclination of said frame structure in relation to the axis of the driving shaft which remains constantly horizontal.

REL

O 1 United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,743,078 Pittoreau 1 July 3, 1973 1 1CHAIN CONVEYORS WITH 2.579.348 12/1951 Tuylor 248/168 x STANDARDIZEDELEMENTS l,24().l l9 9/l9l7 Burns 248/]63 X 2.781.892 2/l957 Thevenieuu198/208 X [75] Inventor: Pierre Pittoreau,

BoulogneBmancoun' France FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2l6,804 I0 1956A t l' 198 H7 [73] Assignee: Societe des Aciers Fins de LEst, I us mBoulogne'amancoun France Primary ExaminerRichard E. Aegerter [22] Filed:Dec. 9, 1971 Assistant Examiner-W. Scott Carson 1 pp N 206,318gitttaolrney-Richard K. Stevens, Davidson C. Miller [30] ForeignApplication Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Dec. 11, France onveyorcomprises tandardized interchangeable elements, namely a motor andreduction unit, a [52] US. Cl. 198/121, 198/139 driving h f operativelyConnected to the output Shaft l 15/60, 365g 41/00 of said unit andcarrying at least one sprocket for driv- [58] Field of Search ..198/ll7l 19, 120.5, i a h i a bearing supporting frame structure, a

21, 1 l 126, 208 central body comprising a swivel-mounted framestructure with idler sprockets and chain tensioning devices, [56]References Cited said central body comprising a pair of said flangesUNITED STATES PATENTS which bear across a central notch thereof uponouter 2,577,926 12 1951 Stiles 198/126 x housings of frafme Structurethe upper 1,845,066 2/1932 Walter 198/117 eac flange f tapped F' 299,5376/1884 Hasselmam 198/119 X screws for securmg said frame structure whichis pro- 2,710,089 6/1955 Kerr et a1 198/30 vided with arcuate SlotsConcentric t0 the driving Shaft 1,224,384 5/1917 Kaukaine 198 121 andengageable by said scr w thus p rm ng th ad- 3,554,353 1/1971 Raudat198/30 justment of the inclination of said frame structure in re-3,563,179 2/1971 'j l98/129 X lation to the axis of the driving shaftwhich remains 1,461,707 7/1923 Hanson et al 198/126 Constantlyhorizontal 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures JL t PAIENIED JUL 3 ms sum 1 or 5PATENTEDJULB I975 sum 5 or 5 FIG] CHAIN CONVEYORS WITH STANDARDIZEDELEMENTS The present invention relates to a chain conveyor comprisingstandardized elements intended for handling more particularly but notexclusively hot-forged pieces, said conveyor comprising strictlystandardized, easily interchangeable elements, adaptable to varioustypes of chain systems for supplying or discharging pieces or parts in amanufacturing workshop.

Conveyor-elevators of the endless belt or chain type are already known,these apparatus comprising a pair of pivoted, castered legs permittingthe variation, through hydraulic cylinder-and-piston control actuators,the height and inclination of the carrier chest.

On the other hand, twin-chain telescopic stationary conveyors are alsoknown, on which rollers are mounted, these chains being provided withlongitudinal translation means permitting the horizontal extension of abranch element on one side of the conveyor.

Each one of the above-mentioned conveyors is characterized by a limitedversatility; the first type permits a vertical and angular variation,and the second type a longitudinal variation, of its generalarrangement.

It is the essential object of the present invention to provide astationary or movable conveyor capable of combining the twoabove-defined functions by utilizing standardized interchangeableelements permitting various mounting combinations with longitudinalvariations on a single side or on both sides, as well as verticalvariations.

This conveyor comprising standardized interchangeable elements swivelmounted to a central carrier body is characterized in that said centralcarrier body incorporates a motor and reduction-gearing unit, a drivingshaft coupled to said unit and having keyed thereon at least oneconveyor-chain driving sprocket, a bearingsupporting frame structurepivotally mounted to said driving shaft and supporting said shaft andsaid motor and reduction-gearing unit, idler sprockets and devices fortensioning at least one chain which are mounted symmetrically on eitherside of said driving shaft, interchangeable extension elements of saidframe structure of the central carrier body to permit various mountingcombinations or arrangements, and a variable-type support for said motorand reducing-gearing unit and the extension elements thereof.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as thefollowing description proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example two differentforms of embodiment of a chain conveyor, given by way of example. In thedrawings FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a conventionally mountedtwo-armed conveyor comprising one or two chains FIG. 2 is a plan viewfrom above of a double-chain conveyor FIG. 3 shows on a larger scale, invertical axial section in the left-hand half a and in horizontal sectionin the right-hand portion b the coupling of the motor andreduction-gearing unit with the central carrier body of the conveyor,the motor and reduction-gearing unit being shown in plan view FIG. 4 isan elevational view of the central carrier body of a conveyor comprisingone or two chains FIG. 5 is a plan view from above of a central bodywith two chains FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a flat-type conveyor,with the asymmetric mounting of one arm, and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are exploded views illustrating diagrammatically variouspossible mountings of the conveyor, i.e. in the case of a conventionalmounting and in the case of an asymmetric mounting, respectively.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating diagrammatically by way ofexample a two-chain-conveyor, it will be seen that this conveyorcomprises a motor and reduction-gearing unit M, a central carrier body Cmounted to said motor and reduction unit, arms B and B constituting theopposite extensions of said central body C, and a tripod structure Tsupporting the motor and reduction unit M.

As shown in FIG. 3, the motor and reduction gearing unit M comprises apower unit with reduction gearing 1 connected through a coupling 2 to adriving shaft 3 carrying driving sprocket 4 secured to this shaft bymeans of a key 5 and locked by a nut 6 against axial translation inrelation to said shaft. Each sprocket drives a chain 7 of the conveyor,which comprises a lower or driving span 7, and an upper or driven span 7The coupling comprises two halves of which a first half 2,, is keyed tothe end portion of the output shaft 8 of the reduction gearing, theother half 2 being keyed to the end portion 3 of shaft 3. This shaft 3has its two ends rotatably supported by a pair of rollingcontactbearings 9, l0 enclosed in bearing cases 11, 12 secured by screws 13 toouter housings 14, 15 rigid with the frame structure 16. Grease nipplesl7, 18 are provided for lubricating these bearings.

The base plate 19 of motor and reduction-gearing unit 1 is secured bymeans of bolts 20 to outer housing 14 of bearing case 11, and screws 21are provided for securing flanges constituting the longitudinal members22 of the frame of said central body C of the conveyor to the upperportion of said frame structure 16 furthermore, these flanges bearagainst the upper protions of housings 14 and 15, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The screws 21 extend through arcuate slots 23 formed insaid frame 16 coaxially to the shaft 3, thus permitting a proper settingof the angular position of the motor unit 1 in relation to the centralbody C of the conveyor.

A rib 24 parallel to a base plate 25 interconnects the two sides offrame structure 16; this base plate 25 is secured by means of screws 26to the head plate 27 of tripod T. This tripod T comprises threetelescopic tubular legs 28 28,, and 28 pivoted at 29 to the head plate27; two legs 28,, and 28,, are interconnected by a cross member 30 andthe third leg 28 lies on the bisectrix of the angle formed by the firstpair of legs. Props 31 engaging the tubular legs 28 permit of elongatingthese legs.

Angle rods 32 extend through spaced transverse holes 33, 34 formed inthe legs and props, respectively, for locking their relative axialposition and therefore the vertical position of the tripod. Acomplementary adjustment is obtained by setting the relative spacingbetween the leg 28, and the tubular cross member 30 interconnecting legs28, and 28 This last-mentioned adjustment is obtained by means of ascrew rod 35 formed with opposed left-hand and right-hand pitch threads,and having its ends pivotally connected to the tubular cross member 30and leg 28 through universal joints 36, 37; these screw rods engagetapped sockets 38,,, 38,, rigid with a vertical column 39 secured to thetripod head plate 27.

The props 3| may be provided with casters 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8, in case it is desired to facilitate the transfer of the conveyoras a whole.

The central body C of the conveyor, illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4 and5, comprises a frame structure consisting essentially of a pair offlanges 22 in the form of longitudinal members having their endsinterconnected by cross members 41. The ends of these cross members 41are engaged in notches formed in said longitudinal members and weldedthereto. Mounted on edge to each flange 22 is a flat guide member 42provided for example with studs 43 engaging lined holes 44 formed insaid flange. The guide member 42 may also be secured by means ofstraight lugs (not shown) welded to this member and fastened to theflange by means of screws. The frame structure further comprises flatinner guide members 45 rigid with bent lugs 46 secured by screws 47 tothe outer face of said flanges 22 and overlying the plane containing theupper surfaces of this flange to permit the passage of the upper span7,, of the conveyor chain of which the axis is substantially level withthe upper plane of flanges 22, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

A set of plates 48 comprising a number of pairs of guide shoes 49 (thisnumber corresponding to the number of chains 7 constituting the conveyordevice) is disposed slightly below the top plane of flanges 22. Theseguide shoes 49 parallel to the flanges 22 and mounted on edges on a pairof transverse'bars 50 have their ends engaged in holes of said flanges22 and held in position by washers 51 and cross pins 52 externally ofeach flange. Tubular distance-pieces 53, 54, 55 surrounding each bar 50separate the pairs of guide shoes 49, the shoes of a same pair and theendmost shoes from the flanges.

On each flange 22 a pair of chain tensioning devices are mountedsymmetrically to the transverse centre line of central body C. Eachchain tensioning device comprises a bell-crank lever 56 having unequalarms, pivotally mounted on a bearing 57 rigid with flanges 22; thesebearings 57 receive the ends of a pivot shaft 58 supporting the idlersprockets 59 of shains 70. A substantially horizontal notch 60 is formedon either side of flanges 22 to permit the passage of said shafts 58.

One end of a transverse shaft 61 is received in each free end of themajor arm 56,, of each bell-crank lever 56 and secured to this shaft 61by means of nuts 62; mounted for loose rotation on these shafts areidler sprockets 63. Substantially vertical notches 64 formed in flanges22 permit the passage of said shafts 61 when they pivot with the leverarm 56,, about the pivot shaft 58. A screw 65 extending through a slot66 of lever arm 56,, and engaging a tapped hole in flange 22 permits oflocking the bell-crank lever 56in the desired angular position.

The free end of the minor arm 56,, of said bell-crank lever has attachedthereto one end of a traction coil spring 67 having its other endanchored to the strap 68 of an adjustment rod 69 housed in a'supportingblock 70 secured to the flange 22. A nut 71 is provided for locking theadjustment screw 69 in the desired position.

The central body C may be designed for an endless conveyor comprisingone, two or four chains 7. These chains may be provided with catches orlike pick-up legs in case the pieces to be handled did not adheresufficiently to the conveyor surface.

The number of idler sprockets 59, 63 mounted on each shaft 58, 61corresponds to the number ol'cliuins. The number of driving sprockets 4on driving shaft 3 (FIG. 3) corresponds likewise to the number ofchains, and the length of the driving shaft 3 varies according to thenumber of sprockets.

The central body C has longitudinal extensions in the form of arms 8,, Bhaving the desired length. Each arm comprises a frame structureconsisting of a pair of parallel longitudinal members of suitablelength, as shown by way of example at 72 and 72 of a cross member 41 atone end and a tubular distance-piece 73 adjacent the other end of saidextension arm. A set of plates 48,, 48,, consisting of guide shoes 49and 49 is secured to the longitudinal members of each extension arm Band B as in the case of the central body, by means of bars 50 extendingthrough distance-pieces 53, 54 and S5.

The cross member 41 of each arm 8,, B is secured by means of bolts 74 toan end cross member 41 of central body C. Idler sprockets 75 arerotatably carried by a shaft 76 fitted in bearings 77 at the free end ofeach extension arm, to permit the return of the lower span 7,, of thechain and thus constitute the upper span 7,, therefor, and vice versa.

The central body C and extension arms 8,, B in their assembledcondition, constitute a complete structure on which the chains 7 areadjustably mounted. This structure is adapted to be easily laid throughthe medium of suitable semi-circular notches 78 into the central portionof flanges 22 of said central body C, to afford an easy access to thebearings of shaft 3, to the external housing 14, 15 of said bearings,which are rigid with the frame structure 16 of motor andreductiongearing unit 1, as already explained in the foregoing, thechains 7 being supported by the driving sprockets 4. Then the selectedinclination of the assembly is adjusted, this inclination varying forexample from 0 to 30 on either side of the horizontal, whereafter thelock screws 21 are tightened. housings Separate deflector plates 79, 80and 81 of curved configuration, secured to the flanges 22 of saidcentral body, are provided for protecting the various idler sprockets59, 63 and driving sprockets 4.

As an alternative, as shown in FIG. 6, the conveyor may have anasymmetric mounting. In this case it comprises a central body C, thesame as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but having only one extension arm Bof adequate length, on one side. The idler sprockets 75 are mounted inthis case adjacent the frame structure of the central body C which isopposite to this extension arm B the flanges 22 being formed to this end7 with holes 82 (FIG. 1) for receiving the bearings 77 of shaft 76supporting the idler sprockets, and also tapped holes 83 for the screws84 by which the bearings 77 are fastened.

In this last-described modified form of embodiment the conveyor is ofthe flat type, wherein the base plate of unit M is secured directly tothe floor. The free end of said extension arm 8,, is supported by a leg85 comprising a shoe 86 secured to the floor surface.

The various assemblies, namely the motor and reduction-gearing unit M,central body C, lateral or end extension arms B, tripod T, and tripodprops, constitute standard, easily interchangeable elements affordingdifferent combinations in the mounting of the conveyors,

in order to meet a wide range of practical requirements.

Now, two main types of standard conveyors may be contemplated, that isa. a conventional-mounting conveyor as illustrated by way of example inFIGS. 1 and 2, and shown diagrammatically in exploded view in FIG. 7

b. the asymmetric mounting conveyor as illustrated by way of examplein'FIG. 6 and shown diagrammatically in exploded view in FIG. 8.

In either types each designed for one, two or four chains, variouslinear speeds may be obtained by substituting a different reductiongearing for the one associated with the power unit M.

The tripods may be designed to comprise two main types, one for asingleor twin-chain conveyor, the other for a four-chain conveyor.

The tripod props may be either of the so-called fixed type 31illustrated in FIG. 1, or of the movable type 87 comprising a caster 40,as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

A low movable truck S, mounted on casters 40, may be substituted for thetripod T, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The length of extension arms B andBmay range from about 0.50 m to about 2 m. The attached table 1illustrates the various possible combinations of the multifariousconveyor of this invention, in the case of a conventional structure.

In conveyors of the asymmetric type as shown by way of example in FIG. 8either the set of extension arms 8,, or special arms B of a lengthranging in general from about 0.50 m to about 2 m, and supporting idlersprockets 75 at their free ends, may be used. These special arms B areprovided at their ends with a flange or lug 88 adapted to be secured toan end leg 89 provided if desired with a telescopic extension 87carrying a caster 40 at its lower end. If an extension arm B or B havinga length of about 0.50 m is used, an intermediate arm 1 of samestructure but without any idler sprocket may be added between thisextension arm and the central body C. The other table 2 hereinafterillustrates the various possible combinations in the case of a conveyorhaving an asymmetric mounting.

TABLE 1 Normal arms Central body 3| 2 Nunjber length (m) length (m)length (m) o q fi 1.50 1.75 0.50 1.00 1.50 L75 0.50 [.00 1.50 l.75

l x x x x x x x 2 x x x x x 4 x x x x x x X x x 'l'AllLF. 2

Length (m) ol NORMAL ARMS s' SPECIAL ARMS at n) I x x x x x x x x x x x2 x x x x x x x x x 4 TAB LE 2 Number Intermediate of arms (2m25) chains(with 0.50 m B:

and Ba) What is claimed as new is 1. Chain conveyor with interchangeablestandardized elements swivel mounted to a central body, comprising amotor and reduction-gearing unit carried by said central body, a drivingshaft coupled to said motor and reduction-gearing unit and supporting atleast one driving sprocket associated with a conveyor chain, abearingsupporting frame structure adapted to pivot about said drivingshaft, supporting said shaft and said motor and reduction-gearing unitand being rigid on either side with an outer housing enclosing bearingcases of said driving shaft, idler sprockets and chain tensioningdevices for at least one conveyor chain, said central body furthercomprising a pair of said side flanges consisting of longitudinalmembers assembled at their ends by cross members, each flange comprisingin its central portion a notch of substantially semi-circularconfiguration which is centered to the median line of the flange,wherein said flanges bear with their lower edge, across said centralnotch, upon said outer housings of the frame structure, each flangehaving an upper portion formed-with tapped holes receiving screws forsecuring said frame structure, said frame structure being provided tothis end with arcuate slots concentric to the driving shaft andengageable by said screws, thus permitting the adjustment of theinclination of said frame structure in relation to the axis of thedriving shaft which remains constantly horizontal.

2. Conveyor according to claim 1, wherein two chain tensioning devicesare mounted symmetrically on either side of said driving shaft to eachof said flanges, each tensioning device comprising a bell-crank leverhaving a major arm and a minor arm and being pivotally mounted on abearing of a shaft extending through a horizontal notch foreseen oneither side of said median line of said flange, said shaft supporting afirst idler sprocket for each chain, the free end of said major arm ofthe bell-crank lever being rigid with a transverse rod extending througha vertical notch foreseen between said central notch and horizontalnotch on said flange, said rod supporting a second idler sprocket foreach chain, the device further comprising a coil tension spring havingits one end attached to said minor arm of the bell crank lever and itsother end anchored to an adjustment screw associated with said flange,said major are being formed with a slot permitting the passage of ascrew for locking same to said flange.

1. Chain conveyor with interchangeable standardized elements swivelmounted to a central body, comprising a motor and reduction-gearing unitcarried by said central body, a driving shaft coupled to said motor andreduction-gearing unit and supporting at least one driving sprocketassociated with a conveyor chain, a bearing-supporting frame structureadapted to pivot about said driving shaft, supporting said shaft andsaid motor and reduction-gearing unit and being rigid on either sidewith an outer housing enclosing bearing cases of said driving shaft,idler sprockets and chain tensioning devices for at least one conveyorchain, said central body further comprising a pair of said side flangesconsisting of longitudinal members assembled at their ends by crossmembers, each flange comprising in its central portion a notch ofsubstantially semi-circular configuration which is centered to themedian line of the flange, wherein said flanges bear with their loweredge, across said central notch, upon said outer housings of the framestructure, each flange having an upper portion formed with tapped holesreceiving screws for securing said frame structure, said frame structurebeing provided to this end with arcuate slots concentric to the drivingshaft and engageable by said screws, thus permitting the adjustment ofthe inclination of said frame structure in relation to the axis of thedriving shaft which remains constantly horizontal.
 2. Conveyor accordingto claim 1, wherein two chain tensioning devices are mountedsymmetrically on either side of said driving shaft to each of saidflanges, each tensioning device compRising a bell-crank lever having amajor arm and a minor arm and being pivotally mounted on a bearing of ashaft extending through a horizontal notch foreseen on either side ofsaid median line of said flange, said shaft supporting a first idlersprocket for each chain, the free end of said major arm of thebell-crank lever being rigid with a transverse rod extending through avertical notch foreseen between said central notch and horizontal notchon said flange, said rod supporting a second idler sprocket for eachchain, the device further comprising a coil tension spring having itsone end attached to said minor arm of the bell crank lever and its otherend anchored to an adjustment screw associated with said flange, saidmajor are being formed with a slot permitting the passage of a screw forlocking same to said flange.